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A deer knocked over a birdfeeder and got more than her share of the birdseed in this back yard in the Five Forks area. (Photo by Nancy Lindsey)

The rapid response session for displaced Aerial Machine and Tool Corporation workers has been rescheduled due to possible inclement weather this weekend.

Wanda Whitlow, manager of the Patrick County Workforce Career Center, said the session, which was set for Friday, Feb. 5, has been changed to Wednesday, Feb. 10.

The session will be held at 9 a.m. in Room 104 at the Stuart site of Patrick Henry Community College.

The Commonwealth's 4 p.m. Burning Law goes into effect February 15, the start of spring fire season in Virginia. This law prohibits burning before 4 p.m. each day (February 15-April 30) if the fire is in, or within 300 feet of, woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials.

A violation of this law is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine. In addition to the criminal violation, those who allow a fire to escape are liable for the cost of suppressing the fire as well as any damage caused to others' property.

"Because people are the cause of more than 94% of wildland fires in the Commonwealth, the 4 p.m. burning law may be one of the most effective tools we have in the prevention of wildfires," said John Miller, director of resource protection at the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). "Each late winter and early spring, downed trees, branches and leaves become 'forest fuels' that increase the danger of a forest fire. By adhering to the law and not burning before 4 p.m., people are less likely to start a fire that threatens them, their property and the forests of Virginia."

In 2009, there were 837 wildfires that burned 7,494 acres of forest land in the Commonwealth. This was a 36% decrease in the number of wildland fires compared to the number (1,322) of fires in 2008. Similarly, the amount of acreage burned decreased 70% when compared to 25,704 acres that burned in 2008.

Periods of wet weather during the spring and fall fire seasons were a critical factor in reducing the number of wildfires. Of the fires that did occur, citizens burning debris or yard waste continue to be the leading cause of wildfire in Virginia. Arson and equipment use also make up the majority of the fires.

Fred Turck, VDOF forest protection coordinator, said, "The leading cause of forest fires in Virginia is carelessness. An unattended fire, a discarded cigarette or a single match can ignite the dry fuels that are so prevalent in the early spring. Add a few days of dry, windy conditions and an escaped wildfire can quickly turn into a raging blaze.

"People living in most rural areas of Virginia are especially at risk," said Turck. "To take a quote from Smokey Bear, 'Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.'"

For more information on what you can do to protect yourself and your property; how to become "firewise," or to pick up a complete copy of the Forest Fire Laws, contact your local office of the Virginia Department of Forestry. You can also log on to www.dof.virginia.gov and click "Can I burn...?"

The Patrick County Sheriff's Office announced it will conduct citizen firearms safety classes on three dates each year. Those dates are the third Saturday in the months of April, July, and October.

Registration for those classes will begin two months prior to the class date. There will be a morning class at 9 a.m. If more than 25 citizens register for training, a second class will be scheduled for 12:45 p.m. Citizens must bring their own 50 rounds of ammunition. Citizens may use their own handgun (it should be unloaded when brought to the class). Citizens may use a sheriff's office handgun only if they bring .22, .38 special, or 9mm ammunition.

The cost of the class is $45 per person. Those attending must pre-register by calling the sheriff's office at 694-3161. A criminal history check will be completed by the sheriff's office on those registering for the class. When 50 people have registered, registration will end until the next scheduled class date. Classes will take place on the sheriff's office/4-H firing range located at the Patrick County Transfer Station.

This class meets the training requirement to obtain a Virginia concealed handgun permit, and is available to adults, and also children from age 12 if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Those that successfully complete the class will receive a certificate of firearms safety training.

This is primarily a firearms safety class but also includes some marksmanship instruction. It includes a two-hour discussion about concealed carry laws, justifiable use of deadly force, firearms safety rules, and the fundamentals of marksmanship.

Class duration is four hours. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to use during the discussion; they may also bring snacks to eat and non-alcoholic beverages to drink. Classes are conducted outdoors.

West Piedmont Regional Adult Education announces that the GED test will be offered Patrick Henry Community College, Stuart site on February 15 and 16 beginning at 4 p.m. Candidates must register at least 10 days in advance to take the test. To register, adults may call Leigh Ann Hazelwood at (276) 694-6542.

GED tests are also scheduled during February in Franklin County, call (540) 483-0179; Henry County, (276) 632-6017; Martinsville City, (276) 403-5466; and Pittsylvania County, (434) 432-9416.

Candidates for the GED must be at least 18 years old and must bring two forms of identification (one must be a government-issued photo ID) and a money order in the amount of $45 to register for the test.

BREAKFAST: Monday: French toast sticks with syrup, fruit juice, milk; Tuesday: sausage biscuit, fruit, milk; Wednesday: scrambled eggs with toast, fruit juice, milk; Thursday: biscuit and gravy, fruit, milk; Friday: sausage egg square with toast, fruit juice, milk.

Cereal and toast are also offered daily.

LUNCH: Monday: hamburger on bun or chicken fillet, lettuce, tomato, oven baked French fries, vegetables with dip, fruit; Tuesday: chicken tenders or tuna salad, school made yeast roll; green beans; fruit cup; Wednesday: lasagna and yeast roll or hot ham and cheese sandwich, buttered corn, tossed salad, fruit; Thursday: manager's choice; Friday: pizza (cheese, pepperoni, or sausage), broccoli salad; fruit cup; valentine cookie.

Chef's salads and peanut butter sandwiches are also offered daily, along with choice of milk.

Delegate Ward Armstrong announced Jan. 26 that he will be working with Governor McDonnell on his "Jobs and Opportunity Agenda" by carrying additional job creation legislation this session.

The legislation will establish a mega-site fund of $5 million for fiscal year 2011-2012. This fund will improve site location development to encourage large businesses to locate to the Commonwealth and create new jobs.

"I am pleased to be able to work with the governor's office and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership on this legislation," said Armstrong. "This program is a critical tool that we need to attract large employers to the commonwealth, and specifically to Southside and Southwest Virginia. Localities are often not in a financial position to develop these sites without state assistance."

Armstrong also submitted a revenue neutral budget amendment that will use existing funds for economic development to finance the site planning grand fund and program.

Delegate Armstrong has previously announced legislation for the 2010 General Assembly session to aid economic development and job creation, including:

* HB649: Lowers the minimum private investment to qualify for incentives from the Governor's Development Opportunity Fund for localities with a population of 100,000 or less with unemployment rates in excess of 150 percent of the state average.

* HB658: Lowers the threshold for qualified real property investments under the Enterprise Zone Grant Program for distressed localities from $100,000 to $50,000 for the rehabilitation or expansion of a single building and from $500,000 to $250,000 for new construction of a single building. Under the bill, distressed locality is defined as any locality with an annual average unemployment rate that is one and one half times or more the state average unemployment rate.

* HB660: Provides that a business firm is eligible for an enterprise zone job creation grant of $500 per year for up to five years for each grant eligible position that during such year is 150 percent of the federal minimum wage, if the locality where the business firm is located has an unemployment rate of 1.5 percent or higher than the statewide average.




WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
		STUART, VA
			E-MAIL: mail@theenterprise.net





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	A deer knocked over a birdfeeder and got more than her share of the birdseed in this back yard in the Five Forks area. (Photo by Nancy Lindsey) Aerial session rescheduled The rapid response session for displaced Aerial Machine and Tool Corporation workers has been rescheduled due to possible inclement weather this weekend. Wanda Whitlow, manager of the Patrick County Workforce Career Center, said the session, which was set for Friday, Feb. 5, has been changed to Wednesday, Feb. 10. The session will be held at 9 a.m. in Room 104 at the Stuart site of Patrick Henry Community College. 4 p.m. burning law goes into effect February 15 The Commonwealth's 4 p.m. Burning Law goes into effect February 15, the start of spring fire season in Virginia. This law prohibits burning before 4 p.m. each day (February 15-April 30) if the fire is in, or within 300 feet of, woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials. A violation of this law is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine. In addition to the criminal violation, those who allow a fire to escape are liable for the cost of suppressing the fire as well as any damage caused to others' property. "Because people are the cause of more than 94% of wildland fires in the Commonwealth, the 4 p.m. burning law may be one of the most effective tools we have in the prevention of wildfires," said John Miller, director of resource protection at the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). "Each late winter and early spring, downed trees, branches and leaves become 'forest fuels' that increase the danger of a forest fire. By adhering to the law and not burning before 4 p.m., people are less likely to start a fire that threatens them, their property and the forests of Virginia." In 2009, there were 837 wildfires that burned 7,494 acres of forest land in the Commonwealth. This was a 36% decrease in the number of wildland fires compared to the number (1,322) of fires in 2008. Similarly, the amount of acreage burned decreased 70% when compared to 25,704 acres that burned in 2008. Periods of wet weather during the spring and fall fire seasons were a critical factor in reducing the number of wildfires. Of the fires that did occur, citizens burning debris or yard waste continue to be the leading cause of wildfire in Virginia. Arson and equipment use also make up the majority of the fires. Fred Turck, VDOF forest protection coordinator, said, "The leading cause of forest fires in Virginia is carelessness. An unattended fire, a discarded cigarette or a single match can ignite the dry fuels that are so prevalent in the early spring. Add a few days of dry, windy conditions and an escaped wildfire can quickly turn into a raging blaze. "People living in most rural areas of Virginia are especially at risk," said Turck. "To take a quote from Smokey Bear, 'Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.'" For more information on what you can do to protect yourself and your property; how to become "firewise," or to pick up a complete copy of the Forest Fire Laws, contact your local office of the Virginia Department of Forestry. You can also log on to www.dof.virginia.gov and click "Can I burn...?" Sheriff's office to offer firearms safety classes The Patrick County Sheriff's Office announced it will conduct citizen firearms safety classes on three dates each year. Those dates are the third Saturday in the months of April, July, and October. Registration for those classes will begin two months prior to the class date. There will be a morning class at 9 a.m. If more than 25 citizens register for training, a second class will be scheduled for 12:45 p.m. Citizens must bring their own 50 rounds of ammunition. Citizens may use their own handgun (it should be unloaded when brought to the class). Citizens may use a sheriff's office handgun only if they bring .22, .38 special, or 9mm ammunition. The cost of the class is $45 per person. Those attending must pre-register by calling the sheriff's office at 694-3161. A criminal history check will be completed by the sheriff's office on those registering for the class. When 50 people have registered, registration will end until the next scheduled class date. Classes will take place on the sheriff's office/4-H firing range located at the Patrick County Transfer Station. This class meets the training requirement to obtain a Virginia concealed handgun permit, and is available to adults, and also children from age 12 if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Those that successfully complete the class will receive a certificate of firearms safety training. This is primarily a firearms safety class but also includes some marksmanship instruction. It includes a two-hour discussion about concealed carry laws, justifiable use of deadly force, firearms safety rules, and the fundamentals of marksmanship. Class duration is four hours. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to use during the discussion; they may also bring snacks to eat and non-alcoholic beverages to drink. Classes are conducted outdoors. GED test dates announced West Piedmont Regional Adult Education announces that the GED test will be offered Patrick Henry Community College, Stuart site on February 15 and 16 beginning at 4 p.m. Candidates must register at least 10 days in advance to take the test. To register, adults may call Leigh Ann Hazelwood at (276) 694-6542. GED tests are also scheduled during February in Franklin County, call (540) 483-0179; Henry County, (276) 632-6017; Martinsville City, (276) 403-5466; and Pittsylvania County, (434) 432-9416. Candidates for the GED must be at least 18 years old and must bring two forms of identification (one must be a government-issued photo ID) and a money order in the amount of $45 to register for the test. Elementary school menus Week of February 8-12 BREAKFAST: Monday: French toast sticks with syrup, fruit juice, milk; Tuesday: sausage biscuit, fruit, milk; Wednesday: scrambled eggs with toast, fruit juice, milk; Thursday: biscuit and gravy, fruit, milk; Friday: sausage egg square with toast, fruit juice, milk. Cereal and toast are also offered daily. LUNCH: Monday: hamburger on bun or chicken fillet, lettuce, tomato, oven baked French fries, vegetables with dip, fruit; Tuesday: chicken tenders or tuna salad, school made yeast roll; green beans; fruit cup; Wednesday: lasagna and yeast roll or hot ham and cheese sandwich, buttered corn, tossed salad, fruit; Thursday: manager's choice; Friday: pizza (cheese, pepperoni, or sausage), broccoli salad; fruit cup; valentine cookie. Chef's salads and peanut butter sandwiches are also offered daily, along with choice of milk. Armstrong works with governor on job creation legislation Delegate Ward Armstrong announced Jan. 26 that he will be working with Governor McDonnell on his "Jobs and Opportunity Agenda" by carrying additional job creation legislation this session. The legislation will establish a mega-site fund of $5 million for fiscal year 2011-2012. This fund will improve site location development to encourage large businesses to locate to the Commonwealth and create new jobs. "I am pleased to be able to work with the governor's office and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership on this legislation," said Armstrong. "This program is a critical tool that we need to attract large employers to the commonwealth, and specifically to Southside and Southwest Virginia. Localities are often not in a financial position to develop these sites without state assistance." Armstrong also submitted a revenue neutral budget amendment that will use existing funds for economic development to finance the site planning grand fund and program. Delegate Armstrong has previously announced legislation for the 2010 General Assembly session to aid economic development and job creation, including: * HB649: Lowers the minimum private investment to qualify for incentives from the Governor's Development Opportunity Fund for localities with a population of 100,000 or less with unemployment rates in excess of 150 percent of the state average. * HB658: Lowers the threshold for qualified real property investments under the Enterprise Zone Grant Program for distressed localities from $100,000 to $50,000 for the rehabilitation or expansion of a single building and from $500,000 to $250,000 for new construction of a single building. Under the bill, distressed locality is defined as any locality with an annual average unemployment rate that is one and one half times or more the state average unemployment rate. * HB660: Provides that a business firm is eligible for an enterprise zone job creation grant of $500 per year for up to five years for each grant eligible position that during such year is 150 percent of the federal minimum wage, if the locality where the business firm is located has an unemployment rate of 1.5 percent or higher than the statewide average.


				The snow covered up a pile of logs in the Critz area. (Photo by Bev Collier)